The Aussie Pinball Arcade

Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => Suggestions? => Topic started by: Pop Bumper Pete on November 11, 2012, 11:09:49 AM

Title: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on November 11, 2012, 11:09:49 AM
 $.$
Nino, time to upgrade the forum software

another forum I use also uses the same software that AP uses, but they just upgraded to a newer version (SMF 2.0.2)

I do find it to be a much cleaner look  ^^^



thanks for everything anyway

Pete
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: pinnies4me on November 11, 2012, 11:25:41 AM

Nino and I have spoken about the changes - coming soon!!
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Strangeways on November 11, 2012, 11:37:11 AM

Will be done in December / January.  ^^^
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on November 11, 2012, 11:53:27 AM
you guys are the best  ^^^
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: swinks on November 11, 2012, 12:24:14 PM
just keep it simple though, all for change but not when it is a pain in the a*#e to get around.

keep up the greta work guys  ^^^
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Olivia_jason on November 11, 2012, 12:39:41 PM
I agree please keep it simple, there are way to many over complicated forums with useless wanky features, no point fixing what isn't broke imo
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: swinks on November 11, 2012, 01:43:05 PM
I know you don't want to know but probably good to know. AA has just introduced a new wanky feature, moving towards ebay type thing with sales classifieds so all sale items in there categories and proposing auctions - just over the top - please don't do that.

Keep the same -  well organised system with some maybe some nice features - adding a favourite thread section would be cool where each person can keep say 10 of there favourite threads in a list and you can quickly go to it and find it great for looking back for info on particular resto tips etc.

Keep the most recent 3 posts like you do - up to 5 would be cool

and love the feature of - show new replies to your posts - use that every day and every visit.

I do like a pinside forum feature and don't know if anyone is interested, but under your avatar have your post number and a pinball icon , not like pinside graphical wow factor list have a simple list of what you have games you had, have, wish list and for sale. Maybe another option for the "for sale" have a second icon red $ sign next to your avatar so when posts get listed you could see that a guy has a game for sale and you could click on it and it shows a list of games and then you could PM him / her some scene shots.
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on November 11, 2012, 01:58:31 PM
Swinks, AA uses vBulletin software, one of the most used and therefore many addons are avaliable for it
AP uses SMF software and I do not belive that it has as many addons avaliable

besides, Nino and Nick seem to want AP to be a place for discusion of Pinball, clasified areas and Sponsors are secondary
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: swinks on November 11, 2012, 02:04:47 PM
I don't know much about the various softwares and very happy with the AP setup and hope that a few features stay like the ones I listed, as for the pinball listing may help people find a pin that they are chasing or trying to sell - helps everyone.

Totally agree with you, Nino and Nick keep it about pinballs, pinball discussion and a cool forum group.  *%*
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on November 11, 2012, 02:15:22 PM
knock yourself out
http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Caveoftreasures on November 11, 2012, 03:01:54 PM
One of the issues we have on the forum is that people jump on regularly, type 20 useless posts in a 30 minute period just so they can see the pinball machines for sale, then they jump off and never post again. Everyone says welcome, but they never post again or comeback...

The 20 post rule needs to be scrapped cause it serves no valid purpose, but creates useless one off posts. Some people are readers and will never post, so if access to sales threads are given, without 20 posts, it wont hurt imo. Does anyone else think the same thing.?

Otherwise the forum layout works very well and is exceptionally easy to navigate. I am hoping it stays very much the same and simple.
This forum is much easier to use than most, and I find the AA site no where as user friendly as this forum. Keep AP like AP and ignore being the same as others out there.
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: elkor-alish on November 11, 2012, 03:11:34 PM
Sorry to talk about another forum but one thing I do like about AA is the range of smileys.
Will more smileys come with the new upgrade or is that a different add on?
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on November 11, 2012, 03:23:38 PM
Sorry to talk about another forum but one thing I do like about AA is the range of smileys.
Will more smileys come with the new upgrade or is that a different add on?

Yes yes, more smilies
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on November 11, 2012, 03:26:08 PM
One of the issues we have on the forum is that people jump on regularly, type 20 useless posts in a 30 minute period just so they can see the pinball machines for sale, then they jump off and never post again. Everyone says welcome, but they never post again or comeback...


No matter what Nick and Nino do, no matter what rules they make, you will always get people who use this forum for their own gain and then leave
It is simply a part of forum life

it is up to us regulars to either deal (buying or selling) with new people or not
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Caveoftreasures on November 11, 2012, 03:42:16 PM
what about just removing the minimum 20 posts requirement for sales viewing , and having a one x Introductory post in the Introduce Yourself thread as a 1 x mandatory post instead ? (or nothing changes and 20 useless posts just keep appearing with dissapearing new members forever)  !@#
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Prince on November 11, 2012, 04:55:43 PM
Your not wrong there Pete on Pinballbash's forum - does stand out.
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Strangeways on November 11, 2012, 07:06:55 PM
Swinks, AA uses vBulletin software, one of the most used and therefore many addons are avaliable for it
AP uses SMF software and I do not belive that it has as many addons avaliable

besides, Nino and Nick seem to want AP to be a place for discusion of Pinball, clasified areas and Sponsors are secondary

The focus of the site will always be the preservation of pinball. Personally, I'd rather read about member's pinball problems, and help out, or observe others helping out. It is always the quality of the membership that our focus.

The site does need a facelift and there are option available that Nick and I will focus on during the break. I'm happy for members to suggest enhancements, but we will be looking at a "meat and potatoes" upgrade initially.
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: swinks on November 11, 2012, 07:48:10 PM
bring on meat and potatoes  ^^^
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: pinnies4me on November 11, 2012, 09:49:59 PM
One of the issues we have on the forum is that people jump on regularly, type 20 useless posts in a 30 minute period just so they can see the pinball machines for sale, then they jump off and never post again. Everyone says welcome, but they never post again or comeback...

The 20 post rule needs to be scrapped cause it serves no valid purpose, but creates useless one off posts. Some people are readers and will never post, so if access to sales threads are given, without 20 posts, it wont hurt imo. Does anyone else think the same thing.?

Otherwise the forum layout works very well and is exceptionally easy to navigate. I am hoping it stays very much the same and simple.
This forum is much easier to use than most, and I find the AA site no where as user friendly as this forum. Keep AP like AP and ignore being the same as others out there.

The 20 post rule will stay as it does more good than harm in our opinion.

Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Crashramp on November 11, 2012, 11:13:18 PM

besides, Nino and Nick seem to want AP to be a place for discusion of Pinball, clasified areas and Sponsors are secondary

+1 to that! And it shows that the members and there pinball problems are number one over anything else. Great work Nick and Nino in keeping this forum positive and about the contributing members.  ^^^
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Cursed on November 12, 2012, 12:59:49 AM

The 20 post rule will stay as it does more good than harm in our opinion.



Has a time limit ever been considered? Still keep the 20 post rule but also have a time limit (say minimum of a month) to try to curb the 'useless' posts?

Or do we think people would join, come back a month later and then do 20 posts?  %.%
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Caveoftreasures on November 12, 2012, 01:05:57 AM
the only reason I raised the 20 posts bit was
1. to help and be constructive
2. thinking its best to get people to post cause they want to, versus feeling they have to, hence the content seems to be more genuine if done via a desire versus forced....either way, it was the only small imperfect thing I could think of overall.

I thought the introduce yourself or sunday questionaire compromise would be a better way to get to know new members versus 20 not so great posts...anyway, up to Nick n Nino.  ^^^ Its all good.
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on January 27, 2013, 10:14:08 PM
OK, so when is the upgrade coming????? :p

Can you please enable the 'ignore user' option

Please, please, please :)
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: MartyJ on January 28, 2013, 09:45:37 AM
OK, so when is the upgrade coming????? :p

Can you please enable the 'ignore user' option

Please, please, please :)

+ 100000000
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Strangeways on January 28, 2013, 11:27:29 AM

Update - We are looking at mirroring the site and doing an offline backup. Forum software will be upgraded and if all goes well, we will be up and running within a day.

We are investigating the mirror site first.
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: ktm450 on January 30, 2013, 02:22:29 PM

Can you please enable the 'ignore user' option

Please, please, please :)

That would be awesome  &&
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: pinnies4me on January 30, 2013, 02:53:11 PM

Can you please enable the 'ignore user' option

Please, please, please :)

That would be awesome  &&

Hmmm, yes, there seems to be a recurring theme for this......   #(&

Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Caveoftreasures on January 30, 2013, 03:35:24 PM
when will the sulk feature be ready ?    %.%
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: pinnies4me on January 30, 2013, 03:57:49 PM


Of course, even if we decide to not implement the feature, you can just ignore users yourself - just don't respond to them, no matter how annoying they might be.
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on January 30, 2013, 04:12:07 PM


Of course, even if we decide to not implement the feature, you can just ignore users yourself - just don't respond to them, no matter how annoying they might be.

Who said that????
;)
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: pinnies4me on January 30, 2013, 04:19:39 PM

Who said that????
;)

 :lol
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on January 30, 2013, 04:24:26 PM
And why can't I log on??????????
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: pinnies4me on January 30, 2013, 04:28:09 PM
And why can't I log on??????????

Don't worry, we let even the worst offenders back on eventually (usually).  &&
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on January 30, 2013, 04:34:12 PM
Sorry
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: pinnies4me on January 30, 2013, 04:53:32 PM
Sorry

All is forgiven......  %.%

Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on February 15, 2013, 07:45:29 AM
I'd bet that now we have the ignore option, nobody is using it :p
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: Caveoftreasures on February 15, 2013, 08:56:52 AM
I'd bet that now we have the ignore option, nobody is using it :p

Its a simple choice , all of us can chose to Ignore, OR be Respectful and Polite, without name calling, insults or innuendo.
Otherwise, if the Ignore feature stops people from disagreeing/making negative comments on someone elses every single post n thread, then it has worked well. Maybe the ignore feature will make all people stop n think about what they are about to write, so that nothing disrespectful, rude or insulting gets written.

No one on here is perfect. Every single person can make the effort to keep things peaceful if thats what they really want.
Letting go of past grudges is the first step. Wipe the slate clean for a positive n peaceful 2013.
My coments arent directed at anyone specifically, just a hope that everyone can play nice if they chose that option.
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: ktm450 on February 15, 2013, 10:10:07 AM
I'd bet that now we have the ignore option, nobody is using it :p

i'm using it and ap is a great place to be!
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: dendoc on February 15, 2013, 11:58:55 AM
Instead of the ignore feature, can we have a "personality defect" icon/warning system next to the Avatar? this way people will pick on posts less if they know someone has a disability - you don't laugh at people with defects in the street when you see them .

Maybe something along the lines of "prone to chronic exageration" or "lysdexic" or "obsesive compulive about math detail" etc?
Title: Re: Upgrade the forum software
Post by: pinnies4me on February 15, 2013, 12:57:10 PM

Maybe something along the lines of "prone to chronic exageration" or "lysdexic" or "obsesive compulive about math detail" etc?


We'd have to create a different one for just about all of us!!